Final answer:
The Council of 500 in ancient Athens was chosen by lot, which meant members were selected randomly. This promoted fairness and prevented corruption, but whether it was a good idea is subjective. Supporters argue for democratic representation, while critics argue against potential incompetence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Council of 500 was a governing body in ancient Athens. It was chosen by lot, which meant that members were selected randomly from a pool of eligible citizens. This was done to promote fairness and prevent corruption. By choosing representatives by lot, it ensured that all citizens had an equal chance to participate in the government and prevented the concentration of power in the hands of a few. Whether this was a good idea or not can be subjective. Supporters argue that it ensured a more democratic representation, while critics argue that it may have led to incompetence and lack of expertise in governance.